Key facts
- A panel of Brazil's Supreme Court voted to put Eduardo Bolsonaro on trial.
- The charges against Eduardo Bolsonaro relate to his alleged attempt to solicit U.S. interference in his father's coup trial.
- Eduardo Bolsonaro is accused of using threats to interfere with a court case against his father.
- Jair Bolsonaro was previously sentenced to over 27 years in prison for plotting to subvert the 2022 election results.
- Eduardo Bolsonaro has called the charges against him baseless and political persecution.
A panel of Brazil's Supreme Court has voted to put Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, on trial for obstruction of justice. The charges stem from allegations that he sought U.S. interference in his father's trial related to an attempted coup following the 2022 election defeat.
Three of the four justices on the panel voted to convict Eduardo Bolsonaro, with one remaining justice yet to cast a vote. The indictment alleges that Eduardo Bolsonaro attempted to interfere with a legal proceeding by urging foreign governments, including the U.S. under then-President Donald Trump, to pressure Brazilian officials. Prosecutors claim these efforts were aimed at obstructing the case against his father, who was accused of attempting to overturn the 2022 election results and inciting the invasion of government buildings in January 2023.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal deputy, has denied the charges, calling them baseless and political persecution. He has acknowledged discussing the situation with influential American figures but denies any illegal pressure. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, was previously sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for his role in the alleged coup plot.